Rev. Dave Brown

Rev. Dave Brown is a Presbyterian minister who affirms his Christian identity and an inclusive spirituality. After serving four congregations (three in Washington, one in Green Bay, Wisconsin) he retired from parish ministry to write, preach and work in interfaith settings. He was one of the NW Interfaith Amigos and appears frequently on CHALLENGE 2.0 hosted by Jeff Renner with Imam Jamal and Rabbi Olivier. He has also been part of the annual Lenten UNTED BY SPIRT RETREAT. He created and hosts nationally known Blues Vespers: a Blues concert with a poem and something to think about. Blues Vespers is now in its 27th season.

With a deep active commitment to social justice and LGBTQ affirmation in the church he believes that we need to remember and nurture our spiritual lives and take time for theological refection. His spirituality is shaped by the Celtic tradition, and he has led numerous pilgrimages to Iona and tries to go to that sacred Scottish Isle annually or at least every other year. Dave serves the PCUSA as a member of the Public Education Roundtable, the National Self Development of People Committee and by writing an occasional poetry column. He was one of the prime authors of the PCUSA policy statement on public education.

Dave Brown has published several books of poetry, a short story and has several projects in process. His most recent book of poems and photographs, I Don’t Usually But…#2 is available on Amazon. He has published several op-eds in several outlets including the Seattle Times.

Travel, cooking, time with his partner Ann (they will celebrate 20 years of marriage next year!), his children, friends, NYC, wandering, walking, baseball, a nice hazy IPA, plants and turtles are some of the things that make him smile and feed his soul.

On the back of his business card is a quote from Mary Oliver’s poem SPRING: “There is just one question; how to love this world.” He tries to live a life shaped by that question following the way of Jesus.